At Gold Educational Tours, we are dedicated to crafting unforgettable cultural experiences for Japanese and Australian students and families. Your agreement is with GOLD EDUCATIONAL TOURS Pty Ltd, known as “GOLD EDUCATIONAL TOURS,” with its registered address at Level 1, 4 Money Street Perth WA 6000.
Our commitment to you is to deliver exceptional service, ensuring that you, as a participant, have an incredible journey! We meticulously design itineraries to facilitate enriching cultural exchanges, combining high-quality accommodation, transportation, knowledgeable guides, engaging activities, and delicious meals.
Over the years, we have perfected our tour processes to ensure a safe, stress-free, and remarkable experience. Please review our Terms & Conditions below to ensure clarity on key points, including our management of on-tour activities. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions; we’re always here to assist.
- Prices quoted are subject to change at any time until full payment is received. While we endeavour to provide a guaranteed tour price after the non-refundable deposit is paid, surcharges may still occur due to increases in transportation costs (including fuel), dues, taxes, or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes, embarkation/disembarkation fees at ports and airports, including currency fluctuation.
- We reserve the right to correct any pricing errors or omissions. Prices are per person and subject to minimum numbers unless otherwise stated.
- To confirm a booking, you will be required to pay $1,000.00 AUD as a non-refundable deposit by Sunday 30th June 2024.
- A further 50% deposit of $2,425.00 AUD will be required by Friday 30th August 2024 as a second deposit.
- Remaining payment of $2,425.00 AUD will be required by Wednesday 30th October 2024.
- All payments and final details forms must be received by the company by the due dates stated in the payment plan as above. The company reserves the right to make an administration charge should final details and payment not be received.
- If the company does not receive deposits and/or the full payment amount on the due dates, your booking will be cancelled, and you will lose any deposits already paid.
Prices are valid for payment by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or bank deposit. Please note the participant may incur a fee pending the chosen payment method. Fees are additional to the tour amount due and must be taken into account, along with fees incurred by your own bank. The amount received to Gold Educational Tours must be the correct amount as per your invoice. Gold Educational Tours is not responsible for bank fees that have not been taken into account, or loss due to exchange rate. Any shortfall of payment due to exchange rate or bank fees is the responsibility of the participant. Final documents will not be issued until full payment is made and cleared funds are received.
If you wish to cancel or amend all or part of your booking, you should advise us by recorded letter or email as soon as possible. A cancellation or amendment is effective only when received in writing by the company from the person that has signed this document and confirmed the booking. The following scale of cancellation charges will apply:
Cancellation notification received by Tuesday 29th October 2024 will result in the second deposit of $2,425.00 AUD being returned in full. The first deposit of $1,000.00 AUD is non-refundable.
Cancellation notification received after Wednesday 30th October 2024 will not be entitled to a refund.
We strongly recommend all travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover against irrecoverable costs, as well as any other desired coverage. Please note that the travel insurance recommendation applies in addition to our cancellation policy and does not guarantee a refund in the event of cancellation after the specified dates.
Substitutions or transfer of travellers is permitted up to 4 weeks prior to tour departure. Cancellation charges will apply in accordance with individual airline and supplier cancellation policies. Both the original and new traveller will be responsible for the payment of the amendment charges and any outstanding balance due in respect of the tour price. If any cancellation reduces the number of paying members below the minimum number required for the tour package price, the invoice will be adjusted accordingly for all remaining group members. We reserve the right to charge a supplement if the gender split of the group requires private rooms to be purchased. Additional charges may also be needed if substitutions will affect the gender split and rooming of the group.
The nature of this type of travel is one that allows alternatives and a substantial degree of on-trip flexibility. The outline itinerary given for your tour must therefore be taken as an indication of what your group should accomplish, and not as a contractual obligation on our part. Changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, flight cancellations, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness, or other unforeseeable circumstances (also known as “force majeure” situations, which include events such as war, civil unrest, natural disasters, pandemics, and other unforeseen events beyond our control).
Please note that the timings of air, sea, road, or rail departures are estimates only. These timings may be affected by operational difficulties, weather conditions, or failure of passengers to check in on time.
We will endeavour at all times to honour the itinerary provided. Nevertheless, because of changing circumstances, the company must reserve the right to make alterations to a tour and any itinerary details both before and after any booking has been confirmed. If the details of your tour change prior to departure, we will inform you as early as possible.
Changes are often minor. Whether a change is significant depends on the nature of the tour and may include alteration to the scheduled departure, flight time change by more than 12 hours (not a delay), change to lower standard of accommodation, or a change in departure airport. Occasionally, we have to make significant changes to a confirmed tour, and in the event of this happening, you will be offered the following:
Accept The Change
Receive a tour of similar itinerary and at least comparable standard if available and realistically possible to organise.
Where we cancel your booking where you are not in breach of these booking conditions and other than for reasons of force majeure (as herein defined), we will offer you, if possible, a replacement tour from us of equivalent or similar standard and price (at the date of the change). If forced to cancel your tour after departure, we will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements, or you reject these for good reason, then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, if appropriate.
Some tour components, e.g., activities are subject to weather conditions, and in the event of cancellation, we will arrange an alternative tour component of the same value.
Travel Insurance is compulsory for all participants, regardless of whether travelling domestically or internationally. Adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of accepting your booking, and you agree that you will have obtained adequate and valid travel insurance for your booking by the date of departure. Gold Educational Tours strongly recommends travel insurance is purchased at the time of confirming and paying the deposit for your tour. Failure to obtain travel insurance at the time of confirming is at the tour guest’s or group’s own risk. Insurance must include cover for all destinations and included activities as outlined in the agreed itinerary, as well as any optional activities in which individuals intend to partake whilst on tour. When obtaining travel insurance, you must declare any pre-existing medical condition, check your travel insurance provider offers cover for guided tours, and ensure any adventurous activities such as skiing are declared. You must ensure that there are no exclusion clauses which may limit cover for the type of activities included or the altitudes attained in the tour. You are required to carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested by Company employees or suppliers; failure to do so may result in your being prevented from participating in certain activities without the right to any refund.
It is the group leader and individual traveller’s responsibility to ensure the correct and valid documentation to include passports, visas, and permits. The tour package does not include any associated costs for passports, visas, and permits; these are solely the participant’s responsibility. We cannot accept responsibility for any failure to comply resulting in any additional costs or fines being incurred. We endeavour to inform you of any new regulations, and advise to check with the appropriate Embassy, Consulate, or Passport Office if you have any further queries. It is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that you have the correct passport and visa to gain entry to any country included in the tour package. If you fail to do so, we have no liability for any costs incurred for loss or damage, nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. In some countries, travellers will be refused entry if they have a criminal record; please check with the embassy and consulate if this concerns you. The participant who signs this document is entirely responsible for ensuring that they have the correct and valid documentation for travel. We cannot accept responsibility for any failure to comply.
During the tour, Gold Educational Tours will provide each participant with an IC card for local transportation, preloaded with a set amount of credit. Participants are responsible for keeping their IC card safe and intact throughout the trip. If an IC card is lost or damaged, the participant must reimburse Gold Educational Tours for the cost of the card and any remaining credit at the time of the incident. Gold Educational Tours is not responsible for the maintenance and care of the IC card once it is in the participant’s possession.
Final tour documents will include a complete final itinerary, details on the tour guide, and any travel vouchers if applicable. Documents will be sent by email 3 weeks prior to departure and should be printed to be referred to whilst travelling. Should any changes occur after the documents have been issued, we will advise you accordingly. Certain services may change their schedules up to a day before departure e.g. flights, which may affect the overall length of the tour time. In the event of this occurring, we would not accept responsibility for changes that are beyond our control.
We are able to advise on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements, recommendations for your destination, and any costs. Where you do not do so and either are not allowed to enter any country, or suffer personal injury or death as a result, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss, or damage which you suffer, nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. Clients with existing medical problems, pregnant women, and anyone who has recently visited other countries should check requirements with their general practitioner. You must advise us, and you may need to be cleared for travel from your GP (who may charge you for such and, for the avoidance of doubt, we are not liable for any such charges or related costs).
All clients are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary as described in the quote prepared for you. If you have a medical condition, serious illness, recently undergone surgery, or have suffered a recent accident, you must advise us, and your airline, and you may need to be cleared for travel by the airline, which will involve obtaining a Fitness to Fly Certificate from your General Practitioner.
Anyone suffering from mobility impairment, illness or disability, or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the tour. Failure to make such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and result in such persons being excluded from the tour, in which case all monies paid will be forfeit.
At all times, the decision of the Gold Educational Tours Tour Manager or an activity supplier representative during optional activities will be final on all matters regarding safety and well-being of tour guests and operational requirements of the tour. By travelling with Gold Educational Tours, the participant agrees to abide by the authority of the tour manager or optional activity supplier. If a participant is affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect the ability to travel or participate in adventure travel activities, their enjoyment of the tour, or treatment which is to be administered, we must be advised of this at least 90 days before the start of the tour. We will assess and determine if the tour guest is fit to travel. Gold Educational Tours is an inclusive operator and will always endeavour to provide the safest, most comfortable experience for all participants.
Gold Educational Tours will ensure the highest quality and safest Gold staff are selected to lead the tours. On occasion, Gold Educational Tours may employ local tour guides. All guides used on the tours will be vetted by Gold Educational Tours.
Should the participant fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on the tour, or if in the opinion of the Tour Manager (in their sole discretion), the participant’s behaviour is abusive and is causing or is likely to cause danger, distress, or material annoyance to others, Gold Educational Tours will terminate that participant’s travel arrangements immediately without any liability on Gold Educational Tours’ part or any third party agencies. The participant will not be entitled to any refund for unused or missed services or costs incurred resulting from the termination of the travel arrangements, including without limitation, return travel, accommodations, activities, meals, and/or incidentals.
Participants agree that they are responsible for any costs incurred by Gold Educational Tours or Gold Educational Tours’ suppliers as a result of damage, destruction, theft, or excess cleaning fees related to the guest’s accommodation, transport, or other use of facilities while on Tour.
The group leader is responsible for the good conduct of all participants during the tour and warrants that at least one responsible adult will be on active duty at all times to ensure that all participants behave accordingly. It is the group leader’s responsibility to ensure:
All local laws relating to the consumption of alcohol are at all times obeyed
No traveller consumes alcohol to excess
No traveller smokes other than in designated smoking areas, or in any way causes a fire hazard
Travelers act in a responsible way during the tour and do not behave in a way likely to cause damage to property, or damage or offense to other people.
Participants are required to organise an e-sim for the entirety of the tour. This is so that Gold chaperones can contact and locate participants at all times and ensure everyone’s safety.
The participant agrees to bring any tour-related complaints to Gold Educational Tours as soon as possible in order to provide Gold Educational Tours with the opportunity to address such complaints promptly and effectively. The participant agrees to inform a Gold staff member at the earliest opportunity in a composed and respectful manner. Gold Educational Tours assumes no liability for complaints that are not properly brought to attention with sufficient notice to resolve or attempt to resolve guest complaints. Any complaint made after the completion of a tour must be received in writing as soon as possible after the tour. The participant acknowledges and agrees that Gold Educational Tours will not accept any liability for claims received after the tour. Gold Educational Tours will attempt to resolve any issues brought forward on tour where reasonable and they are able to do so.
Our obligations are to take reasonable skill and care to arrange for the provision of such services and facilities as described in the program prepared for you. We contract with a network of companies, government agencies, and individuals to assist in the running of our tours. We are not responsible for the acts and omissions of these third parties. Standards of, for example, safety, hygiene, and quality vary throughout the transport and destinations that the tour may involve. Sometimes these standards will be lower than those which would be expected in your home country, however, Gold Educational Tours will always work to ensure that the highest standards possible in each country are adhered to and that all third parties meet the minimum safety requirements of Gold Educational Tours. The suppliers of the services and facilities included in your tour should comply with local standards where they are provided.
Gold Educational Tours is not responsible for any damages, expenses, losses, or claims which are attributable to the fault of a tour guest, or as a result of an unforeseeable or unavoidable act.
If you purchase any optional activities that are not part of your tour inclusions, the contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider. The decision to partake in any such activity is entirely at your own discretion and risk. If you do have a complaint about or problem with the optional activity purchased, then your claim should be directly with the provider.
We may operate trips in regions where standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other infrastructure may, at times, be lower than those you normally expect. The suppliers of the services and facilities included in your tour should comply with local standards where they are provided. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the hazards involved in this kind of tour, including injury, disease, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort.
We will consider special requests such as dietary requirements or specific rooming arrangements when you book. We will inform you whether there is a charge for the request. We can only guarantee requests which are explicitly confirmed in writing. It is your responsibility to advise us of any special requirements. All flight requests (including but not limited to seat and meal requests) are at the discretion of the airline, and are therefore beyond our control. We will duly notify the airline(s) of all requests in good faith, but these can never be totally guaranteed by us.
We ask that the parent/guardian who signs this document is authorised to do so on behalf of the participant and that both parties acknowledge the terms and conditions as stated above. He or she must be over 18 years of age. The parent/guardian is responsible for all tour payments and agrees to provide accurate information to all participants relating to the tour package. Any amendments to these booking terms and conditions must be in written agreement with Gold Educational Tours. The parent/guardian who completes and signs this document is solely responsible for their participant, and everyone agrees to these booking terms and conditions.
I have fully read these booking terms and conditions and accept and agree to all conditions listed.